Assam’s fish production has gone up to 3.73 lakh metric tonne (MT) in 2019-20 from 2.94 lakh MT during 2015-16 — a rise of 26.87% in four years. As such, the state has bagged four top honours in the fisheries sector, including the “best state” title among hilly states.

KEY POINTS:

=> The fish seed production of the state currently stands at about 9,519 million seeds (fry stage) as against 5,678 million during 2015-16 — an increment of 67.65%.

=> Various schemes — Ghare Ghare Pukhuri Ghare Ghare Maach, Chief Ministers Samagra Grammya Unnayan Yojona, among others — that the central and state governments have launched to support fish farmers and bring about complete transparency in trade.

=> Rs 185 crore of fish has been sold since the outbreak of the pandemic which helped to provide the people protein and made fish farmers economically stronger.

=> The Assam Apex Cooperative Fish Marketing and Processing Federation limited (Fishfed) has started hygienic and systematic fish marketing in Guwahati and a yearly average of 45,000 kgs of fishes are being sold.

=> During the first phase of lockdown (10/10/2020 to 28/06/2020), Fishfed sold a total of 43,983kg of fishes worth around Rs 1.41 crore